Retail Food · Boston, MA

Tropical Food Mart

Name: Tropical Food Mart
Address: 4545 Washington St, Boston, MA

4545 Washington St

Last inspected Jan 20, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

10 inspections

Inspection

Jan 20, 2026

Passed

3 recorded violations

minorCode 590.004/4-202.16-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Several lights out inside of the sliding glass door refrigeration unit. Replace.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Inside of the sliding glass ice cream freezer with excess frost build-up. Defrost and clean to remove.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

majorCode 590.006/6-501.115-PFOther

Official wording

Prohibiting Animals (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Cats observed living in the basement storage area. Remove cats permanently.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 20, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 12, 2026

Failed

3 recorded violations

minorCode 590.004/4-202.16-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Several lights out inside of the sliding glass door refrigeration unit. Replace.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Inside of the sliding glass ice cream freezer with excess frost build-up. Defrost and clean to remove.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

majorCode 590.006/6-501.115-PFOther

Official wording

Prohibiting Animals (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Cats observed living in the basement storage area. Remove cats permanently.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 12, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 26, 2025

Passed

3 recorded violations

minorCode 590.004/4-202.16-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to clean the plastic shelves in the walk in.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode 590.006/6-101.11-COther

Official wording

Surface Characteristics-Indoor Areas (C)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to patch or block the hole in the corner of the walk in that has a empty bottle in it.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

majorCode 590.006/6-501.115-PFOther

Official wording

Prohibiting Animals (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to remove the cat and propvide a pest control report at re-inspection date.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Sep 26, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 19, 2025

Failed

3 recorded violations

minorCode 590.004/4-202.16-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to clean the plastic shelves in the walk in.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode 590.006/6-101.11-COther

Official wording

Surface Characteristics-Indoor Areas (C)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to patch or block the hole in the corner of the walk in that has a empty bottle in it.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

majorCode 590.006/6-501.115-PFOther

Official wording

Prohibiting Animals (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to remove the cat and propvide a pest control report at re-inspection date.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Sep 19, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 31, 2025

Passed

4 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-305.11-CContamination

Official wording

Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)

Inspector’s notes

All products will need to be stored off the floor 6 inches. Walk in had product on the floor.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

minorCode 590.006/6-101.11-COther

Official wording

Surface Characteristics-Indoor Areas (C)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to replace any broken floor tiles in the retail area and walk in.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

minorCode 590.006/6-501.114-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Maintaining Premises Unnecessary Items and Litter (C)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to clean up the basement so pest control can do a good inspection and address any issue you may have.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

majorCode 590.006/6-501.115-PFOther

Official wording

Prohibiting Animals (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to remove the cat cat food and litter box from the store. Please have pest control come in be fore re-inspection date and provide you with a pest control report.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 31, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Jan 24, 2025

Failed

4 recorded violations

minorCode 590.003/3-305.11-CContamination

Official wording

Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)

Inspector’s notes

All products will need to be stored off the floor 6 inches. Walk in had product on the floor.

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

minorCode 590.006/6-101.11-COther

Official wording

Surface Characteristics-Indoor Areas (C)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to replace any broken floor tiles in the retail area and walk in.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

minorCode 590.006/6-501.114-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Maintaining Premises Unnecessary Items and Litter (C)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to clean up the basement so pest control can do a good inspection and address any issue you may have.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

majorCode 590.006/6-501.115-PFOther

Official wording

Prohibiting Animals (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to remove the cat cat food and litter box from the store. Please have pest control come in be fore re-inspection date and provide you with a pest control report.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 24, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 31, 2024

Not required

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 31, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Jul 8, 2024

Report filed

2 recorded violations

minorCode 590.006/6-101.11-COther

Official wording

Surface Characteristics-Indoor Areas (C)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to replace broken floor tiles in walk in and retail area.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

minorCode 590.004/4-202.16-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Fan cover for the condencer in the walk in will need to be cleaned.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jul 8, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Mar 15, 2024

Report filed

1 recorded violation

minorCode 590.004/4-202.16-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

PIC will need to clean the build on the the fan covers in the walk in. Dust the retail shelves. Dust front window ledge behind the chips.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Mar 15, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection